Károly Simon

GeoQuesting: Mobile adventure game and web-based game editor

The GeoQuesting project is presented, including the functional overview of the components and some details regarding their implementation. Development tools, patterns and technologies are also described. The project includes a mobile game application and a web application for game creation. The main component of the project is an adventure game running on mobile devices. While playing the game the player has to solve quests and to find checkpoints in different locations. A web-based user interface is provided for editing, managing and publishing games easily. In this way various quests can be created using different types of conditions (question answering, finding checkpoints based on GPS position etc.). GeoQuesting can be used in different domains: such as education (e.g.: a game showcasing historical places in a city), tourism (e.g.: a game for touring landmarks in a region), marketing, entertainment industry etc.

Augmented reality and image recognition based framework for treasure hunt games

The scavenger hunt and treasure hunt game categories are relatively well-known. The main idea of these games is to reach different checkpoints and execute specific tasks at these locations. There are many successful games based on this idea, like Geocaching. There are also some frameworks for building games, like Scvngr, but generally these frameworks have some disadvantages. The placement of real physical objects (“treasures”) could be expensive, GPS-based localization cannot be used inside buildings etc. The lack of generality could be a problem, as well. A general framework for the development of augmented reality-based, multiplayer adventure games is proposed. The framework can be used for creating online treasure hunt or scavenger hunt games for mobile devices. The “treasures” can be virtual 3D objects, appearing as a part of the augmented reality. The integrated image recognition support offers new possibilities in game creation and customization. GPS-based localization is combined with image recognition based localization, in this way the created applications can be used inside buildings, as well.

Software system for broadcasting and monitoring traffic information

The purpose of the presented project is the development of a software system for broadcasting, tracking and managing traffic related information. The system contains a server and an Android client application for reporting and displaying traffic related events (traffic cameras, traffic jams, accidents, roadblocks, etc.). It also includes a web application for the system administrators and another web application for data management and analysis. Like other similar applications, the Sparrow project uses a predefined camera database, but it also gives opportunity for the users to report events in real-time. The software system ensures several additional functionalities, such as visual and audio notifications about the approaching events and data filtering possibilities. The interface of the client application is intuitive and it is easy and safe to use while driving.

Live tracking framework for public transportation systems

Live tracking is essential in the case of public transportation systems. Furthermore, making public the locations of public transportation units can also be useful. It not only helps the transportation providers, but the clients, as well. A general live tracking framework is proposed. It is applicable for any kind of logistics system. In this study the Romanian railway system is used as a test environment. Train movements are simulated based on timetables. Using the framework a web application is developed. A map service is used for displaying the railway system and the simulation.

Program guide and data management software system for theaters

There is an increasing demand for applications in which users can easily browse different events organized by different institutions or organizations in a single place. Among these events are the following: theater or movie shows, cultural programs, presentations, meetups, etc. Most of the institutions (e.g. theaters) have their own web pages, where the programs along with the related news and pieces of information are published. These websites differ from one another and sometimes it may become difficult for the users to digest the required pieces of information from them. The aim of the software system is to offer a solution for this problem. With a single mobile application, using a uniform user interface they can browse the program of all those institutions, which uploaded their events into the system through the web administration interface. In the current version of the system mainly theaters are targeted but the solution will be generalized to support other institutions too. The article presents the PlentyGO system, which contains two client applications and a central server.

Legendárium navigator: Software system for supporting transylvanian tourism

The purpose of the presented software is to help tourists to find their way to legendary locations in Transylvania. The project is composed by a central server, an Android client application and a web client application. The users of the Android application have the possibility to read about the legends, listen to audio books and watch videos. The application provides navigation to legend locations, and a notification system is also integrated for indicating these locations. The required data is uploaded to the server via the web client application.

Software system for newspaper distribution

The paper presents a software system for newspaper distribution. The system contains a central server, an Android client application and a web application for data administration. Application data (customer database, distributor profiles, distributions, etc.) is managed by the system administrators using the web application. The application also generates statistics and provides opportunity to create checklists for verification. The mobile client application is used by the distributors. Using this application, they can view their task list, the nearest addresses where they have to deliver newspapers and they can report feedback related to deliveries.

Argus: Hardware and software system for automatic or semi-automatic photo taking

The article presents the Argus project. The aim of the project is the development of an automatic photography system. Argus is built on a special hardware system (central server, minicomputers with NFC(Near Field Communication) card readers and cameras) and it is controlled by a specific software system. The software system contains a server, a web application and a desktop application, which is running on a Raspberry Pi 2 minicomputer. The architecture of the system is general, so it can be used by companies from different domains. Photo taking is triggered by the NFC cards provided as tickets for different locations (adventure parks, ski resorts, etc.). As opposed to other similar systems, Argus is made up of well-known, inexpensive hardware components, available on the market to everyone.

Android mobile application for controlling Arexx robots

The ASURO project is presented, the used hardware devices and software development tools, methodologies and technologies are described. The aim of the project is to create algorithms and software modules for controlling Arexx robots. Two robot types are considered, the ARX-03 ASURO and the AAR-04 ASURINO robot. The AAR-04 robot is the improved version of ARX-03, with Arduino platform, which makes the development of software modules much easier. In the framework of the presented project the robots are extended with special hardware modules (sensors and Bluetooth communication modules). The project contains an Android mobile application, which provides the user interface for controlling the robots. The robots are equipped with a WiFi camera, the camera image can be visualized in real time with the mobile application, together with sensor information. The robots can be controlled by rotating the mobile device or with virtual buttons on the display.

OptInv: Software as a service solution for inventory optimization

The presented OptInv software system provides support for inventory and sales optimization. Generally, small and medium enterprises cannot afford expensive Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, with effective supply management modules. Supplies are often managed based only on former experience. Inconvenient situations can occur when an order cannot be accomplished because the needed product is missing, or when the money invested in some products becomes a waste. Using the right methods and tools, these problems can be eliminated. The aim of the OptInv project is to provide a Software as a Service (SaaS) solution for this kind of problems. OptInv imports data from accounting software systems and provides statistics about products, providers and sales. Products can be categorized, the value of the stock can be estimated, the consumption can be predicted and in this way the inventory can be optimized.